The echoes of bygone times can be felt in Alcalá la Real through the inimitable beauty of the Fortaleza de la Mota. This ancient walled city can be seen from afar and is a must-see for History and heritage lovers.
It is a monumental work at 1,033m above sea level where military and everyday elements blend, and the Muslim aspects meet the Christian ones.
The Fortaleza de la Mota is the most outstanding monumental attraction in Alcalá It is an old walled city that was abandoned in the 16th-17th centuries. Its restoration and the Interpretation Centre of Life on the Frontier help to learn about how and who lived on the last frontier of Al-Andalus.
Opening hours:
Winter opening hours (October 15th to March 31st)
– Monday to Sunday from 10.00h to 18.00h
Summer opening hours (April to October 14th)
– Monday to Sunday from 10:30h to 19.30h
Special opening hours: December 24th, December 31th, January 5th: 10.00h to 14.00h
Closed: January 1st, January 6th, December 25th
The construction of the Abbatial Palace dates back to 1781, when the Abbot Esteban Lorenzo de Mendoza y Gatica completed the rebuilding of an old manor house. It is currently home to the Archaeological Museum, which has four rooms that cover the most important aspects of the history of Alcalá, from prehistoric times to the Middle Ages. The collections relating to the Roman site of the Domus Herculana and the Tesorillo de Ermita Nueva, a 10th century Caliphate treasure, are particularly noteworthy. X.
Opening hours:
Opening hours all year round
– Monday to Sunday from 10.00h to 18.00h
Special opening hours: December 24th, December 31th, January 5th: 10.00h to 14.00h
Closed: January 1st, January 6th, December 25th
Strolling through the town centre and the streets of Alcalá la Real is a way of discovering beautiful corners full of tradition and peace. In its historic centre, declared a Historic-Artistic Site in 1967, the urban layout and buildings that arose outside the walls of the Fortress from the 16th century onwards coexist with the remains of the rich modernist architecture of the first third of the 20th century.
Any excuse is a good reason to visit Alcalá la Real: getting there is easy, but leaving is not so easy.
Tapas are an unmistakable hallmark of Alcalá la Real, along with “lomo de orza”, goat’s cheese and extra virgin olive oil, as well as stews and typical dishes such as “arroz caldoso”, “jarretes en salsa” and the genuine “secretaria”. Sweets are another of the town’s culinary strongholds, made to last over time, such as the “roscos de San Antonio” or the “tortas de manteca”.
Another appeal of Alcalá is the peacefulness offered by the rural environment in its 16 villages. With more than 500 rural accommodation places, you can enjoy several approved hiking and cycling trails that take visitors to resources of tourist and ethnographic interest along the route.
Local products based on local production bring a peculiarity, since each process has a human story behind it that is as interesting as the product itself. The fusion of taste and knowledge makes the experience irresistible to the palate and the heart.
